Myanmar troops raise pressure on Indian insurgents

Guwahati: In what may be called a major diplomatic success, the Myanmar Army has started mounting pressure on Indian insurgent groups holed up across the border to vacate the forest areas occupied by them.

Saying that these militant groups had been forced to shift their camps frequently over the past one month, security sources said it was for the first time that the Myanmar Army had started low-intensity operations against the Indian insurgent groups across the border.

Admitting that the Myanmar Army has not launched any aggressive operation to drive out the insurgent groups from Myanmar, the sources said the ongoing operation has certainly curtailed their comfort level.

Pointing out that the Indian insurgent groups were forced to shift their camps time and again, the sources said there was no report of Myanmar Army personnel opening fire or taking aggressive action against them.

Saying that a few abandoned camps were burnt down, the sources said most of the active militant groups of the Northeast have bases in Myanmar and are using the facilities of NSCN (K). Though the exact number of militants now in Myanmar is yet to be ascertained, the security agencies believe that at least 2,000 cadres of active militant groups are still holed up in the neighbouring country, including around 150 members of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) and around 100 of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (S).

Asserting that India has been trying to persuade the Myanmar government to increase the presence of its troops along the international border, the sources said it would be difficult for the Indian insurgent groups to survive if they lose their base in Myanmar.

Pointing out that the striking power of the insurgent groups had diminished after they lost their bases in Bhutan and Bangladesh, the sources said most of the Indian insurgent groups were confined to Myanmar’s Taga area, which is virtually unpopulated and is free from any surveillance. The militants are also taking advantage of the terrain on the India-Myanmar border.

However, the situation has changed with the growing presence of the Myanmar Army, which is also in the process of setting up bases for permanent deployment of forces along the international border, the sources said, adding that the Assam Rifles was also entrusted with the task of guarding the international border.

While most of the Assam Rifles camps are well inside Indian territory due to lack of proper infrastructure to set up camps near the zero line, sources said stress had been laid on expediting the pace of infrastructure development along the border with Myanmar.